Alice in Borderland

Chapter 87

This morning I wasn't awakened by the sun's tickling rays on my nose, an annoying knock on the door, or a nightmare. I was awakened by a light touch on my wrist and rested, I open my eyes. Chishiya doesn't seem to notice and I watch for a moment as he gently strokes a certain spot, almost watching her in a trance. I stare at the spot silently for a moment until I notice him stroking my nondescript tattoo, which only Kuina has ever noticed on me.

What must he think of me when he sees the sign for the queen of hearts on my wrist. Kuina advised me never to reveal it to anyone in leadership, but does Chishiya still count as one of those people?

"Morning," I say, half asleep, intending to startle him if he only noticed now.

"Good Afternoon," he says in a hoarse voice, but doesn't let go of my wrist for a moment. He continues to stroke it gently and his gaze seems almost fixed. So he doesn't care if I see his pattern.

"You've noticed for a while," I state out loud and he looks at me for the first time before he begins to grin slightly in thought. But then he sees how the tattoo started and nods slightly. I'm no longer surprised at all the things he notices and that he perceives things differently than other people. Normal people.

"I saw it a few weeks ago, as well as the counterpart on your other wrist," he says dreamily, playing towards the king of spades. I have doubts. I mean, we're in Borderland, where it's all about playing cards, and if anyone takes that seriously, it's Chishiya Shuntaro. "I think they are beautiful"

I flinch for just a moment, but then an unbelievably warm feeling hits my chest before my cheeks start to glow too.

"I've always had an affinity for gamecards," I say honestly, lowering my gaze to the covers, but he only laughs softly and I notice how gently and carefully he strokes it. I look at him in amazement, as this tender gesture seems unreal to what we've been through lately. Or simply because I'm probably the only one who gets to experience it like this. "How long have you had it?"

"I get it when I was seventeen. It kind of drew me in. I thought about bleating the ace of diamonds, but haven't gotten around to it yet," I admit, watching him the whole time. He looks at me and our eyes meet. His facial expression and his body language tell me that he believes every word I say.

"What happened to that wrist?" he asks with a furrowed eyebrow and only now do I feel a slight tug in that area. When Chishiya loosens his grip, I see a light blue trail, which will take on other various colors in the next few days.